Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus) perching in a wild rose bush in British Columbia
© Tim Fitzharris/Minden Picture
A true night owl
Hard to spot but easy to hear, the Northern Saw-whet Owl is among the most common owls within North America. About 20 centimetres in length and weighing under 150 grams, it is a relatively small bird. It can inhabit a range of habitats and can breed in deciduous as well as coniferous forests. Truly nocturnal, the Northern Saw-whet Owl gets active at dusk and almost entirely preys on small mammals. It gets its name for its distinct whistle which is reminiscent of the sound of sharpening a saw on a whetting stone.
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